ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

In 1984 Nu Shooz was one of the hardest working bands in the Northwest corner of the United States. The group, formed in Portland Oregon in 1979, was playing over three hundred days a year, traveling in a converted school bus. By this time the line-up had slimmed down from twelve members to seven. Manager Rick Waritz decided it was time to shop for a record deal.

The band was changing. A year earlier percussionist Valerie Day replaced David Musser as lead singer. NuShooz was wandering stylistically too. There was an exodus of members, so by 1984 the Shooz were once again firmly under the control of bandleader John Smith. Tha's Right is a transitional album.

Waritz said, "We need to go into the studio and record something.""I don't have any songs I like," Smith said, "Except for 'I Can't Wait.' That sounds real."

During that transitional period the Shooz dabbled in rock. Smith wanted to take them back to the funky stuff that packed the dance floor at the Last Hurrah, the premier live music club in Portland. There are rock songs on "Tha's Right," but it was "I Can't Wait," that rebooted the Shooz sound. (Listen also to the exuberant 'Make Your Mind Up' for a snapshot of the 1984 club band.)

A local music critic named Attilio called the live band 'boring,' (translation; not new wave enough,) but praised Tha's Right. "The album is surprisingly good," he wrote. "But local Top-40 Radio will never play it".

Morning jock Gary Bryant of KKRZ Portland read the review on the air. He said, "If you're out there listening, come on down!" Waritz hopped on his Vespa and rushed a copy down to the station. They put 'I Can't Wait' on the air within the hour. The phones lit up.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

ALBUM NOTES FOR “THA’S RIGHT”Produced by John Smith, Rick Waritz and Fritz Richmond

NOTE: This album was lovingly restored from decades old analog sources. Since analog tape can suffer from natural decomposition over the years we hope you will enjoy this classic material and forgive any imperfections that result from the effects of time.

As valerie & John already know, I am a long time fan and supporter of NU SHOOZ. This group is nothing but talent and I am happy to see the original version of "I CANT WAIT" finally available as a download! Now I just wish Atlantic records would release a full remix album of all their original 12" singles on CD. Long over due! Anyhow, Much love to Val & John. I will be promoting this at http://www.80sInYourFace.com